Kim Gresh, left, and Cassandra Buckalew, playing the part of Shelby, will be in the Earl Smith Strand Theatre’s production of Steel Magnolias. Shows are Jan. 17 through Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. The cast also includes Holly Comer, CEO and executive director of the Northwest Georgia YWCA; Cassi Costoulas, director of marketing and development for the Earl Smith Strand Theatre; Faye DiMassimo, director of the Department of Transportation for Cobb County and proud parent of a Pebblebrook High School graduate; and Dianne Weeks, director of development at WellStar Health System. Special to the MDJ

Gresh and Buckalew re-enact a scene from the show. Proceeds from the production benefit the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. Tickets are $25. Assigned seating. All ages. For more information or for tickets, visit www.earlsmithstrand.org or call the box office at (770) 293-0080. The box office is located at 117 North Park Square in Marietta and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m., and two hours before the show.

The Southern classic “Steel Magnolias,” written by Robert Harling, comes to the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square this month with a powerful cast of local leading ladies from the Cobb County community.

Shows are Jan. 17 through Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 20 at 3 p.m.

“Steel Magnolias is one of the most popular contemporary plays ever written. I felt it was the perfect show for the Strand Theatre,” stated Earl Reece, executive director of The Strand who directs the production.

Reece met with Kim Gresh and Cassandra Buckalew, who have performed in two other shows at the Strand and came up with the dream cast for the show.

“Every lady we asked to be a member of the cast accepted our offer, and the fun has not stopped since we began rehearsals,” Reece said.

The cast includes Buckalew, a recognized interior designer and the owner of the Historic Marietta Trolley Co., and Marietta Pedicabs; Holly Comer, CEO and executive director of the Northwest Georgia YWCA; Cassi Costoulas, director of marketing and development for the Earl Smith Strand Theatre; Faye DiMassimo, director of the Department of Transportation for Cobb County and proud parent of a Pebblebrook High School graduate; Gresh, president of S. A. White Oil Co. and a Marietta Citizen of the Year; and Dianne Weeks, director of development at WellStar Health System and grandmother of a young performer in The Strand’s other upcoming January production “Kids on Broadway.”

“These are six of the busiest women in Cobb County. The cast works during the day and reports to the Strand at night,” Reece said.

“What a great opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated and necessary women in our community,” he said. “And if rehearsals are any indication, this show will be hilarious.”

“Without a doubt, I can promise the audience a good time,” Reece said.

Proceeds from the production benefit the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. Tickets are $25 with assigned seating. All ages are welcome.

For more information or for tickets, visit www.earlsmithstrand.org or call the box office at (770) 293-0080. The box office is located at 117 North Park Square in Marietta and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m., and two hours before the show.

The usual suspects are fibers in the Marietta community that have been supporter through their time and financial investments to make a positive difference. It simply shows that a few do most of the work while others talk about it. Get involved so we can "keep this going for much longer" and perhaps we will see your real name in lights.

I agree, they are the fibers in Marietta...the fibers in a small strand not quite capable of supporting the enterprise known as the revitalization of the arts in Marietta and the community we call the Marietta square.

If they could rid themselves of their incestuous public service relationships and self aggrandizing, then maybe they could reach out to community members - and possible leaders - that have been here all along through thick and thin yet never seem to "get involved" as you say.

I've tried, and have yet to receive any response other than indifference. Of course, they are and have been willing to take my money should I offer it.

As for newcomer Ms. Buckalew, kudos to her. We need more like her. However, someday she will wake up and realize the O.M.s have been riding her wave of enthusiasm and are more than happy to let her "Chair" everything until she wears herself out - if that is possible.

Whatever 2

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January 07, 2013

I am sure the usual suspects will show up and we will hear about it after it is done.

Unfortunately, the list of suspects is not long enough to keep this going much longer.

I have noticed the same thing Up Chuck. Cassandra loves to have her picture taken. She always is in the paper. She seems to be in love with herself.

Cassandra Buckalew

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July 01, 2013

My goodness. You guys are just mean, hateful people. I have done nothing to you...nothing at all. You don't even know me personally, yet you sit back and judge me based on what you think you see and because my picture is in the paper. Your attempts at insulting me truly say more about you and your character than they do about me.

I give a great deal of time and resources to countless non-profits in Marietta and Cobb, promoting them and their fundraisers for the growth of our community. Why don't you email me at cassandra@mariettatrolley.com, so I can get you involved in making Marietta a better place to live, work, and play. We'd love to have your help, ideas, time and talents at many of these non-profits.

I realize it's much easier to complain and criticize others than it is to actually get involved yourself, but anytime you'd like to have coffee and chat about any of these organizations I promote, I'll be ready. I look forward to hearing from you.

In the meantime, I do hope next time someone says something ugly about you, your children, your family, or the people you love and care about, you'll remember this and think twice and not be so hurtful next time you want to say something about someone.

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